India captain Rohit Sharma opted against batting in the nets as the team held its first training session ahead of their final Group A match against New Zealand in Dubai. India trained under lights at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Academy ground on Wednesday, February 26, with all players present except for Shubman Gill. However, there are no concerns regarding his fitness, and he is expected to be available for the crucial clash on Sunday, March 2.
Rohit Sharma was seen engaging in light fitness drills and spent a significant amount of time with the strength and conditioning coach. This decision comes after Rohit experienced a minor hamstring scare during India's six-wicket victory over Pakistan. The captain had missed nearly ten overs on the field due to discomfort but still walked out to open the innings, scoring a quick 20 off 15 balls to help set the tone for India’s chase of 242. Given the packed schedule, the team management is taking a cautious approach with his workload.
Despite skipping the net session, Rohit was actively involved in the team’s training, closely observing the players and having discussions with head coach Gautam Gambhir. He even participated in a light-hearted training routine using a tennis racquet, keeping the atmosphere relaxed as India prepared for their final group-stage encounter.
A significant boost for India's bowling unit came with the return of bowling coach Morne Morkel, who had to leave due to a family emergency before India’s Champions Trophy opener. Morkel’s absence was felt during the high-pressure clash against Pakistan, but he has rejoined the squad in Dubai and was seen overseeing the bowlers during the session.
All eyes were on Virat Kohli, who is in sublime form after his match-winning century against Pakistan. Kohli put in an intense net session, facing both pacers and spinners with a particular focus on tackling spin. He practiced advancing down the track, playing precise drives in the ‘V’ region, and working on his footwork. The Indian team trained on a grass-rich pitch, which was in contrast to the slower, lower surfaces at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Rishabh Pant also spent extended time in the nets alongside Kohli, fine-tuning his game. The wicketkeeper-batter has been benched for India's first two matches, and it remains to be seen whether he will get a chance in the playing XI against New Zealand. The Indian team management may consider making a few changes to test their bench strength, especially since they have already qualified for the semi-finals.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya dedicated a major portion of his session to facing short-pitched bowling, asking a support staff member to deliver waist-high bouncers to help him refine his pull shots. Once he wrapped up his batting drills, Pandya also worked on his bowling, looking to maintain consistency in his line and length.
India’s pace attack, consisting of Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana, trained rigorously in the middle, focusing on their accuracy and variations. The spinners also had an intense session, preparing for what could be a decisive battle against New Zealand’s strong middle-order.
With India already assured of a semi-final spot, there is speculation about possible changes to the playing XI. However, in recent ICC tournaments, including the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup, India has opted to stick with a stable lineup even when opportunities arose to rotate players. Players like Rishabh Pant, Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar, and Arshdeep Singh are yet to feature in this tournament, and the team management may consider giving them game time.
As the match against New Zealand approaches, India will be aiming to maintain their momentum and fine-tune their strategies ahead of the knockout stage. With Rohit Sharma’s cautious approach to training, Virat Kohli’s intense focus, and the bowling unit getting back to full strength, the team appears to be in strong form heading into the final group-stage encounter.
